THE SPORTIVE KINROSS ROUTES

Sportive Kinross provides 3 routes to suit all types of riders and all levels of fitness. The short 44 mile Blue route is a good introduction to Sportives with two significant hills to climb. The classic 68 mile Red route is challenging but very achievable while the 87 mile Black route with over 5500 ft of climbing is a challenge for any rider, especially so early in the year. With all 3 routes starting and finishing at the Loch Leven Community Campus in Kinross they follow a common route across the Lomond hills and through the historic town of Falkland before the routes finally split at Aberargie.

Click on the route tabs above for a detailed description of our Sportive Kinross routes.

WHAT TYPE OF RIDER ARE YOU?

New to Cycling Sportives

Cyclo Sportives are long distance, organised, mass participation cycling events, and are not races. Sportives challenge participants to complete a set course within a time constraint. Organisers typically offer two or more distance choices, and will provide support with supervising marshals and food and water stations. Sportives are open to all cyclists. No club membership or association is necessary, nor is there an ability criterion. This openness and the thrill of the challenge means sportives are becoming one of the UK's most popular cycling disciplines. Although sportives are not races, entrants times are recorded, and these can be checked afterwards to see how you compare with other riders. Some riders work together to increase speed in a pro-peloton style, but the majority of riders are simply happy to complete the distance within a certain time allowance.

Club Cyclists

Sportive Kinross welcomes individual entries from cycling clubs for our Sportive. Although Sportives are not necessarily first choice for strong club cyclists, it is still early in the season and you may wish to test your winter fitness alongside like minded riders before entering other events. The 68 mile classic Red route has only two main climbs at West Lomond and Dunning Common, with long flat sections aimed at more powerful riders who like to chaingang and ride fast. The final section of the course covers the Cleish 10 mile time trial route used by the Fife Cycling Association for club events.

If you're a club rider who likes climbing, we think the 87 mile Black route has one of the best climbs in Scotland, the constant 3 mile, 270m climb of Dunning Common. But before you get there, you have shorter but steep climbs up Wicks o' Baiglie with a maximum gradient of around 15%, followed by Stronachie hill and then the 16% hairpins at Path of Condie. The end of the course finishes with the climbs of Knockhill and Cleish, the latter giving a superb view of the final descent into Kinross. Both routes are similar to or exceed the minimum distances required for National Category A & B single day events. As usual in a Sportive, riders can start at any time within the one hour start period, and you may wish to form a small group with other riders before setting off.

Experienced Sportive Rider

Sportive Kinross is an early event to get the Sportive season in Scotland off to a flying start. Depending on how your training has gone over winter, you have a choice of two routes; the 68 mile Red route with 2 major hills over West Lomond and Dunning Common, and the 87 mile Black route with a lot more hills to really get those legs burning! We know from our own experience how important the feed stations are, so we intend to have our stalls packed with home baking, bananas and plenty of juice and water. And once you complete the route a hot or cold drink and some more food will be waiting for you. We want to make Sportive Kinross one of the best Sportives in the UK, and we would welcome your feedback after the event.